WWE SummerSlam 2018: Star Ratings For All 13 Matches

9. The New Day Vs. The Bludgeon Brothers - SmackDown Tag Team Title Match

Big E Harper
WWE.com

Finally: a disqualification finish that actually served the story and its characters, as opposed to a cynical means of writing the same chapter twice.

The Bludgeon Brothers aren't over, or at least, they weren't: the act is more antiquated than fun throwback, and, in an era of relentless television, fans have tired of the formula, much as Harper and Rowan have done well to make inventive use of it.

This wasn't the usual popcorn TV spot-fest at which The New Day excel. They wrestled strategically against a team impossible to strategise against. Xavier Woods played the Ricky Morton role well, using his engaging personality to sell the creative onslaught of Harper and Rowan. In response, furthering the story, Big E was a match even for the cartoonish powerhouses. His Suplex City shtick was far more impactful than Lesnar's diminished return in the main event slot, even if (or because) Harper landed ugly following an overhead. Unable to compete with this impressively-wrestled challenge, the Bludgeon Brothers finally showed a dent in their goofy armour, and promised something beyond an eight-minute squash at the end of the cycle.

Helped by intelligent card placement, this over-delivered.

Star Rating: ***1/2

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!